The New REO Royale
On April 6,1976 the engineering department had just back from lunch and the department head went to each of us and informed us that Diamond-REO had filed for Chapter 13 and that we were to take our personal things with us when we left at 5:00 P.M. and not return to work. I only came back once after that. I had a key to the front door of the engineering so I picked up a couple of books I had left behind. I had been working on the new REO Royale putting finishing touches on it. Myself and a co-worker had been responsible for the electrical engineering including the instrument panel design. My co-worker did the instrument panel design and I did the installation of gages,switches, and wiring
harnessdesign.
The curved instrument panel had a place for any and all options. To the right of the main panel was a large auxilliary panel for additional options. The wiring harnesses were made with nylon tie wraps in lieu of the old taped harnesses. Multiple terminal connectors were used for easy assembly and service. The truck itself was a truck drivers dream. The picture of the Royale probably had a Cummins NH engine in it but options for all engines, axles, transmissions etc. were designed and available. It would have been highly competitive on todays truck market.
I understand someone in Pennsylvania (not sure) bought the engineering drawings and produced the truck. Although I have not seen one on the road.
I worked for REO 20 years and my Father worked for REO for 43 years so it has many fond memories. Thanks for reading about REO and the time you spent doing it.
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